Signature Theatre's innovative and intimate new production of Les Misérables, in Arlington, VA, begins Dec. 2 under the direction of artistic director Eric Schaeffer.

Les MisPhoto by Scott Suchman

By special permission from producer Cameron Mackintosh, Signature Theatre "is producing a brand-new version of Les Miz by creating an environmental staging that combines the epic scale of 28 actors, 138 costumes, a Broadway-sized 14-piece orchestra, and a five-ton steel set with the intimacy of a 280-seat theatre," according to the not-for-profit Equity company that made its reputation with re-examinations of musicals.

The previously announced cast includes Greg Stone, from the national touring companies of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, as the fugitive Jean Valjean; Andrew Call, of Broadway's Glory Days, as Marius; Tom Zemon, of the Broadway productions of Les Miz and The Scarlet Pimpernel, as pursuer Javert; Stephanie Waters as Cosette (she also performed the role on Broadway); Signature Theatre favorite and two-time Helen Hayes nominee Tracy Lynn Olivera as Fantine; Christopher Bloch (Signature's Urinetown) as Thenardier; Helen Hayes Award winner Sherri L. Edelen as Madame Thenardier; Felicia Curry as Eponine; and Chris Sizemore as Enjolras.

According to Signature, "One of the most popular musicals of all time, Boublil and Schönberg's Les Misérables is a passionate saga of love and betrayal set during the upheaval of post revolutionary France. At its center, fugitive Jean Valjean is pitted against the tenacious Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. This deeply personal drama of a man seeking redemption is played out against a sweeping historical backdrop of unparalleled scale, where the worlds of student revolutionaries, thieves and criminals, and desperate young lovers collide."

Based on Victor Hugo's classic 1862 novel, Les Miz is full of power ballads and pop anthems, including "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," and "One Day More."

Music is by Schönberg, lyrics are by Herbert Kretzmer, original French text is by Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material is by James Fenton.

Tickets, ranging in price from $65 to $87, are on sale by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or by visiting www.signature-theatre.org.

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Special 8 PM holiday performances are scheduled for Dec. 23 and 30. No performances will take place on Dec. 16, 24, 25 and Jan. 1, 2009.